The expected lifespan of a water pump is 60,000 miles to 90,000 miles, but many can last longer than that. Usually, once your car has reached the coveted 100,000 miles, you can plan on the need for a pump replacement soon. Sometimes, this cooling system part will give you signs that it needs to be replaced. Getz Automotive explains that the following are symptoms of a bad pump.
Coolant Leaks
If you see a pool of engine coolant on your garage floor, it could be that your water pump is leaking. Again, if you have a high-mileage automobile and you’ve never replaced that pump, it is more prone to having problems. The water pump is located in the front of your engine at the center. Coolant puddling underneath this location is a sign of a leak.
Grinding Noise
If you hear a grinding noise coming from this location, it could be that the water pump’s internal mechanisms are going bad. That pump is responsible for circulating coolant through the engine. It uses the accessory belt to power it and has an internal system to help it. As the parts inside the pump wear down, they will begin to grind or growl when they are in motion.
Overheating Engine
A definite sign that your water pump is bad is an overheating engine. Obviously, if the water pump isn’t functioning at all, your engine isn’t getting any coolant. It will take a very short time for the engine to get too hot if it is coolant-starved. It’s important to quit driving your automobile if it is overheating. Continuing to drive it, even with the heater going full blast, can damage the engine.
Poor Circulation
If your engine is running hotter than normal but not overheating, it’s possible that the water pump is not circulating the coolant as forcefully as it normally does. Think of the water pump as your engine’s heart. It pumps the coolant through the engine like your heart pumps blood through your body. Poor circulation can cause the engine to run too warm or to overheat.
Pump Corrosion
Finally, if you take a look at your water pump and it has gel all around it, it is corroding and what you see is a slow leak of engine coolant. This is definitely a sign that your pump needs to be replaced. It is slowly leaking coolant out of it.
Look no further than Getz Automotive in Fuquay-Varina, NC, for all of your automotive service needs including the water pump.
